“This is America - how many of you people want to pay for your neighbors mortgage?” That question, shouted on TV by CNBC commentator Rick Santelli in February 2009, kicked off America’s Tea Party movement. During his rant he invited people to a tea party in Chicago.
One Tea Party official in Florida estimates there are about 150 versions of the party operating throughout the sunshine state. Some are called The Tea Party. Others use different variations of the words Tea Party.
“It's kind of a quiet movement,” said Tim Mcclellan, Media Director for the South Florida Tea Party. While there are no official candidates on South Florida’s November ballot, there is a clear Tea Party philosophy with three pressing issues. “Lessen the size of government, free markets and fiscal responsibility,” said Mcclellan.
The South Florida Tea Party is backing all Republican candidates - from Rick Scott to Marco Rubio to Allen West.
Ft. Lauderdale Republican insider Justin Sayfie says Tea Party activists and their grass roots efforts are making an impact. “A lot of people who got motivated by the Tea Party movement are showing up at local Republican campaign headquarters, volunteering to help get Republicans elected,” said Sayfie.
Tuesday night Delaware Tea Party backed candidate Christine O'Donnell won her Republican senate primary contest. New York Tea Party backed gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino won his Republican primary. Both knocked off G-O-P establishment candidates.
Politics
In Washington on Sunday thousands of Tea Partiers protested big government and big spending. It's the start of a political movement that Mcclellan says is not ending soon. ”In the past it came from the top down - these are your candidates - now it's going bottom up.”
